I started this blog in 2009 to document what I ate, what I read, and how much I ran leading up to the NYC marathon. While I did manage to drag myself over the finish line, I have since decided I am not a marathon runner. I have also decided that while running, food, and reading are no longer the centre of my life, they remain an integral part of helping me centre and appreciate my life. They help me realize that it's not that serious...

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Monday, July 7, 2014

Days 62, 61, 60, 59, 58: A Learning Experience

School may be out for the summer, but over the last few days, I've really learned a lot.

I've learned that I'm really not that good at relaxing...Let me rephrase that; I'm not good at relaxing all willy-nilly without a plan. There were a couple days (days 61 & 60) where I was plan-less (read: no to do list and/or daily schedule) and I ended up doing pretty much nothing on those day except lounge around and maybe go for a run or a bite to eat with a friend. I imagine most of you out there feel like throwing tomatoes at me as I complain about these "nothing to do" days, but the fact is that at the end of those two days, I felt really guilty and stressed and frustrated with myself because there was so much I could've done...so much I should've done.

And this is where the mini imaginary therapist (who's quite optimistic, btw) who's perched on my shoulder bonks me on the head and says, "You dolt! What are you feeling guilty about? Not only did you accomplish (half of) #46 (spend one hour doing nothing productive at least once per day) on your summertime to-do list, you accomplished it TEN TIMES OVER!"

My little therapist was right. I did do a great job being very unproductive. Now I just need to work on the 'not feeling guilty' part.

So what else did I accomplish this week?

Well...I'm 1.5 books closer to my 20 book goal. Even though my second book, The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, is taking me way super-longer to read than the first one, I am still optimistic about reaching my goal. So why is it taking me so long? First of all, at 766 pages, it's a monster. And second, since it's a Pulitzer Prize winner, you know this ain't no fluffy beach read (not that I have anything against fluffy beach read). With that being said, it is an amazingly engaging book that is completely unpredictable and original and deep though-provoking. I'll let you know how it ends up. But not how it ends (hahahaha)

#58 I met my oldest bestie, Stacey, for lunch. While I didn't try out any of the new restaurants I've been ogling, I did get to make a return visit to one of my favorite restaurants in Toronto: Trattoria Nervosa. When I graduated from Teacher's College 10 years ago, my husband threw me a graduation party there and I've loved it ever since. Everything I've ever eaten there, from pizza to salad to charcuterie plate, has been amazing. And they have what is arguably one of the prettiest upstairs patios in Toronto.

It's a Cayla cupcake-sandwich
With Cayla in the middle
And cupcakes in both her hands.

#40 (Sort of...) I did try one new restaurant...actually it's really a cupcake joint. But not just any cupcake joint. It is called Prairie Girl Bakery and I'd heard of it (and the rumors of the delicious cupcakes) but it just wasn't high on my list of place to try in Toronto. It really, really should've been. Their maple vanilla cupcake is amazing. But is it more amazing than their chocolate with strawberry icing cupcake? I just don't know. I guess I'll have to go back there again and give it a second go.

#35: I accomplished 4 out of 30 tasks on my 30 days to a complete declutter. And I can't even explain how liberating it is to fill and haul away bag after bag of...crap. I also can't even explain how disturbing it is to discover I own so many hair brushes. And I also can't explain why I found a stack of dimes in my son's room. A stack of dimes that had been glue-gunned together. Why? Just...why?

#29: I lit a one-matcher. On my first try. I am a FIRE-GODDESS! (I think that may sound weirder than I intended)

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Roasted Marshmallow Ice Cream
Topped with Cocoa Pebbles
How have I not thought of this before?

Besides the list, I also ran a whole bunch, made roasted marshmallows with my niece and nephew, slept in past 8, danced like no-one was looking (even though tons of people were looking; we were listening to Roz's husband's band play at a bar and no one was on the dance floor but us), discovered
the world's yummiest late-nite dessert, and ate vegetables from my garden Every. Single. Day. And finally the one I'm most proud of: I overcame my aversion to waiting in lines and waited in line for the 50% of sale at the Kate Spade store at Toronto Premium Outlets and walked away with not one, not two, not three but FOUR AWESOME PURSES!!!! The best part? I was disciplined enough to get rid of four old purses as per my decluttering rules.